Help, I updated PHP and now my site isn't working
In this article, we explain what you can do to make your site compatible with the latest PHP version. Updating to a newer PHP version can improve your website's performance and security. However, if your site isn't compatible with the latest version, it may stop working.
Our support is ready to help you identify the issue and guide you in the right direction. However, they cannot fix the script for you.
- Are you using a CMS like WordPress, Joomla or Drupal?
- Is your website made with custom code that was specially written?
Are you using a CMS like WordPress, Joomla or Drupal?
Most likely, you can fix your site by updating it to the newest version. Some of your plugins, modules or extensions may not be supported, but finding an alternative is usually not a problem. Additionally, if a plugin or extension doesn't support an older PHP version, it indicates that it hasn't been updated in a while, which may lead to other vulnerabilities.
Can you revert to a previous PHP version?
The quickest fix is to revert to a previous PHP version in the one.com Control Panel. It should make your site work again, allowing you to do updates from the back end. Returning to a previous version is only a means to help you fix the site, not a solution!
Tip: Thanks to our PHP Extended Support add-on, you can now also revert to expired versions, such as PHP 7.4 and 8.0. Expired versions remain supported for a fee while you can fix issues and update your site to a stable PHP version.
Is it not possible to go back to a previous PHP version?
Then, you need to do a manual update.
For Wordpress we have created a guide on how to do this manually:
For Drupal, please check the following external guide:
For Joomla, please check these links with guides and documentation:
Is your website made with custom code that was specially written?
Then, fixing it will be difficult; it requires the code to be rewritten to make it compatible with a stable PHP version.
Can you contact the person or company that created your site?
The person who wrote the code is usually best equipped to update it. If you have the option to get this person to help you, that may be the easiest solution. Otherwise, another developer familiar with coding in PHP should also be able to rewrite this for you.
The disadvantage of this solution is that you may have to pay a fee, and you may encounter the same issue when the current latest stable PHP version reaches end-of-life.
Have you considered switching to Website Builder or WordPress?
If fixing your site is too costly or time-consuming, it may be easier to recreate it on a different platform, like our Website Builder or WordPress.
- Website Builder doesn't use PHP, meaning you never have to update it. It's developed entirely in-house, ensuring it works very well on our servers and is easy to maintain. If you need a website to showcase your company or organisation with an option to contact you, then Website Builder should cover your basics.
- WordPress is a good option if you want a site with more dynamic content. WordPress is used in roughly a third of all websites. This ensures that it is constantly updated and offers a wide range of themes and plugins to cover all your needs.
Tip: Try out our Premium WP Care, giving you the best of both worlds; all the flexibility you need, while we take care of the updates and security.
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